“Three cheers for, and long live, the King!”

Well, that was fast! Less than an hour after putting out the call, I had scans for all the Captain America and Black Panther letters pages I wrote while at Marvel back in the ’70s.

So what will they reveal? Was there truly an orchestrated effort by us staffers, as some have claimed, to use the letters columns to sow seeds of dissatisfaction with Kirby among fandom?

Since I assembled many of those columns, I thought it important to respond with the facts, because as far as I know, none of those making such claims have done more than repeatedly make the claim, without evidence. What does a look at the actual texts of six such pages I put together for Kirby-created comics actually reveal?

Lots of positivity there, beginning with a letter that includes the line, “THIS is the Kirby I remember.” While the column does include is a letter hoping Kirby doesn’t do away with the characterization of the previous creative team, when isn’t there a letter like that whenever someone new is at the helm?

Since the column for issue 203 was about all-important issue 200, I managed to squeeze in 13 letters. And the ratio?

Looks like 10 of the 13 were positive, including one that stated, “Captain America has become a fun mag again. Jack Kirby has the best understanding of what adventure comics are supposed to present.” Yeah, that’ll turn fandom against him!

Don’t know what was written by whichever staffer took care of the letters column for issue 204, but when I was back again for 205, I once more see a boatload of kudos for Jack, including, “I have to admit that it was one of the best stories I have ever read,” and “In my opinion, your work since returning to Marvel has been some of the best ever.”

Issue 206 is where it gets even more interesting, as it includes a letter that begins, “Since you don’t print any criticism about Jack, I know this letter won’t be printed … ”

If the letters columns were so filled with negativity, as some have claimed, how is it that the actual readers don’t think we’ll publish negative letters?

And what did I write in response to the comments that Kirby’s scripting wasn’t up to snuff, and that all of Marveldom Assembled wanted Steve Englehart back?

If anything runs counter to the theory of an anti-Kirby conspiracy, it’s my words on behalf of The King:

Do they, Jim? We don’t think so.

As we’ve said before, the difference between Kirby and Englehart is basically one of style. They each have their individual visions as to who Cap is, and both of their Caps are different in character then the way he originally appeared. We could argue forever about their respective merits and maladies, but there is nothing we can say about the book that the King can’t say for himself in his work.

We feel that most of our readers like Jack’s work, and whether we’re right, only time and sales will tell.

I followed a letter that complained about Kirby’s scripting with one that raved about him: “I’ve had it with this drivel demeaning the King’s writing abilities! Nobody at Marvel, not even Stan himself, has scripted so totally in consistency with Kirby art as Jack has! … Three cheers for, and long live, the King!”

As for the lone Black Panther letters columns I wrote, it was early in Kirby’s run, so it was entirely filled with reader guesses as to which title he’d be working on. Even so, I ended on a positive note: “Don’t forget to be here next issue, to learn what your fellow Merry Marchers thought of Black Panther #1! Did they love it? Did they cherish it? Did they introduce it to their parents? Remember—if you’re not here, you’ll never know!”

Where are those letters columns designed to turn fans into a torch-bearing, pitchfork-wielding mob intent on storming the House of Ideas and demanding Kirby be fired? I just don’t see it.

And I’d like those who feel they do see it to back up their claims with some proof. Otherwise, all they’re doing is maligning folks like me who were doing their best to let readers have their say.

6 Comments for “Three cheers for, and long live, the King!”

adrian

Adrian, that’s correct. 223,000 copies sold, out of 444,000 copies printed (for the latest issue). A high number of copies sold, but I’m not sure if that percentage was a good one, in comparison with other newsstand comics.

Scott, you might be interested in the following: way back in 1982 Roger Stern wrote a letter to a fanzine in an attempt to debunk the rumor that staffers had tried to sabotage Kirby’s books via the letters pages. He went through all the lettercols, and arrived at the same conclusion you did.

I quoted most of Stern’s letter in a Usenet discussion with Mark Evanier, about a decade and a half ago:http://tinyurl.com/7g9ddq2

John Judge

As one of those writers at the time, I was embarrassed when my letter was published in a Black Panther letter column, I think in issue 5 but I’m not certain as I haven’t kept a copy.
I wrote very few letters to Marvel. I know I was surprised to see it in print as it was negative as I remember it. I believe I ended with something like “let Kirby do the plotting, but please get someone else to script.”
It’s weird to think someone chose to print it for anything other than just as a rare dissenting opinion. I did generally enjoy his scripts on the Fourth World stuff.

Mike Hill

Scott, coincidentally I’ve been re-reading the Kirby Black Panthers this week and the very next issue had letters based on BP #1. Clearly it wasn’t one of your letter columns because there was a letter requesting Jack’s removal from the title.

Since I don’t have a copy of that one available, I’d be interested in knowing what the full pro/con ratio worked out to, and how whichever assistant editor who wrote the answers responded. I know some feel that letters pages should never have disparaging comments, but I feel as long as the balance is there, and the letters are entertaining, it’s fine. Hey, I printed letters in my own Captain Marvel letter columns calling for ME to be fired!